NAACP Files For Emergency Court Order To Stop xAI Data Center Pollution
On May 6th, the NAACP filed a request for a preliminary injunction to stop air pollution from Elon Musk’s company, xAI, and its parent company, MZX Tech. The request comes after the organization filed a Clean Air Act enforcement last month. The Clean Air Act requires major sources of pollution to obtain air permits, which include stringent […] The post NAACP Files For Emergency Court Order To Stop xAI Data Center Pollution appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech..
Black News 
On May 6th, the NAACP filed a request for a preliminary injunction to stop air pollution from Elon Musk’s company, xAI, and its parent company, MZX Tech. The request comes after the organization filed a Clean Air Act enforcement last month.
The Clean Air Act requires major sources of pollution to obtain air permits, which include stringent pollution limits and require the use of pollution controls before being constructed or operated.
xAI violating the Clean Air Act
The NAACP informed xAI and MZX Tech that their personal power plant, comprising 27 gas-fired turbines, violates the Clean Air Act and poses a risk to local communities’ health. The claims were ignored, and xAI brought 6 additional gas turbines on site, bringing the total to 33.
“By expanding an unpermitted power plant despite decades of clear direction for permitting, xAI is showing a blatant disregard for the law. xAI was already violating the law then showed no remorse by adding six more turbines that further exacerbates the health risks facing families in North Mississippi and the Greater Memphis region,” Abre’ Conner, NAACP Director of Environmental and Climate Justice said.
Gas turbines affecting air pollution
The 33 unpermitted gas turbines that make up xAI’s power plant have the potential to emit a great amount of toxic air pollution each year:
- 2,507 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx). These emissions numbers likely make the facility the largest industrial source of NOx in the greater Memphis area, an area already failing to meet national smog standards. The American Lung Association recently gave both DeSoto County (Southaven, MS) and Shelby County (Memphis, TN) an “F” for ozone (smog) pollution.
- 236 tons of fine particulate matter, which can cause premature death and is associated with cancer, asthma attacks, and hospitalizations and emergency room visits for severe heart and lung diseases.
- 837 tons of carbon monoxide.
- 25 tons of formaldehyde—a toxic, cancer-causing chemical.
Image: NAACP
The post NAACP Files For Emergency Court Order To Stop xAI Data Center Pollution appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech..
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